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We arrive in Elizabeth Bay in mid-afternoon and disembark into the panga for a cruise around the small islets in the middle of the bay. We see many Blue-footed Boobies perched on the rocks, flying overhead and diving in flocks after schools of fish, probably pompanos and dorados.
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© Jeff
Waugh
Galapagos Penguins |
On one rock you spot a pair of penguins and alert our marinero as to their location so we don't get too close and disturb them. We keep a good distance, observing with our binoculars and photographing with our telephoto lenses. It's a good idea to have some fast film for shooting from the panga. |
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© Jeff
Waugh
Elizabeth Bay |
From here, we head in towards the mangrove (there are some giant red mangroves along the shore) and into the narrow part of the bay. We see the head of a sea turtle pop up and then dive as it sees us. Brown Pelicans are diving after fish right along side the panga. |
The snorkeling here is quite good. We are immediately struck by the great abundance of small fish and realize exactly what the pelicans were after. The water is quite clear and we make out the shape of a turtle swimming our way. We stop motionless and the turtle swims along right beside us!
After an hour or so of swimming and snorkeling in this cool water we are ready
to warm up and head back to the boat.
Surfing Sea Lion
© Jeff Waugh
On the way back a sea lion begins to surf in
the wake of the 'panga" and jumping up and out of the water as it cruises along
and catches up with us. A few minutes later
we see a whale surfacing across the bay. It's a humpback with a calf. As we
watch, the calf breaches not just once, but at least four times! What a day!
Humpback Whale
© Jeff Waugh
We immediately start our engines and begin the long cruise around the south end of Isabela.
To Puerto Ayora
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